Flow controlling apparatus



Dec. 15, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 28, 1948 as 78 75 77 J F L17 T 55 35; /vaw .4% m 5 Patented Dec. 15, 1953 FLOW CONTROLLING APPARATUS T Cyril Noon,

County,

Bainbridge Township, Geauga Ohio, assignor to Thompson Products,

Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application February 28, 1948, Serial No. 11,951

19 Claims.

The present invention concerns means for controlling the flow of fluids, and more particularly relates to improved apparatus for equalizing or proportioning the flow of fluid through a plurality of flow passages.

An important object of the present invention is to provide improved apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid through a plurality of flow paths, such as liquid fuel from a plurality of tanks delivered to a common point such as a manifold, carburetor intake, or the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid through a plurality of ducts or flow streams automatically in response to the flow conditions prevailing in a pilot stream.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved system for equalizing or proportioning the flow of fluid through a plurality of flow paths and wherein one of the flow paths serves as a pilot which is automatically adjustable responsive to variable conditions both as to-fluid demand and fluid pressure, and the remaining flow paths are automatically adjustable to the conditions prevailing in the pilot path so as to maintain certain predetermined flow proportions or equalized flow in all of the flow paths.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a highly eflicient, compact flow controlling unit by which a plurality of fluid streams are combined into a single stream in certain predetermined proportions or at an equal rate.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide in an improved flow proportional or equalizing apparatus novel automatically variable oririce means.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an unusually light weight, compact and highly eflicient plural stream proportioning or equalizing unit and which may be made of small size to flt in a minimum of space consistent with its functional requirements.

It is also an object of the invention to improve the functional relationship of a plurality of fluid flow paths to a common pilot flow path in a system for equalizing or proportioning the flow of fluid through all of the paths.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fluid flow controlling unit embodying the features of th present invention;

- taken substantially on the line Figure 2 is another perspective view of the unit, but looking generally toward the opposit end from that viewed in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a median front to rear vertical sectional view through the unit and on an enlarged scale;

Figure 4 is a, reduced scale sectional view taken on substantially the line IV-IV of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a reduced scale sectional view taken on substantially line VV of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a reduced scale sectional view taken on substantially the line VI-VI of Figures and with certain parts omitted for purpose of clarity;

Figure 7 is a sectional view on a reduced scale VII-VII of Figure 3; and

Figure 8 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken on substantially the line VIIIVIII of Figure 3.

Certain self-propelled machines carry a plurality of fuel tanks from which the fuel must be fed simultaneously in certain predetermined proportions or at an equalized rate. For example, certain air traveling machines require that fuel utilized in the propulsion thereof be delivered from a plurality of fuel tanks at an equal rate so that load conditions will remain balanced. The device illustrated and described is especially suited to so balance the flow rate from a plurality of fuel tanks that the tanks will empty at the same rate.

According to the invention, a flow equalizing or proporticning device i0 is provided which has as a principal component a generally cubical body block H, to one face of which, herein the rear face identified at 12, is secured a fluid inlet head or port block [3 (Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 7). Each of the blocks II and I3 may be made from a light weight material such as aluminum alloy and is preferably of minimum dimensions consistent with functional requirements. Screws M may be utilized to secure the port block [3 to the body block H removably.

Entering the port block I3 is a plurality of fluid ports l5, I5, I! and I8 (Figs. 1, 3 and '7). Herein the respective ports enter from the edges of the port block I3 and are in the form of bores extending into the block short of one another so as to be independent, and each bore may be internally threaded adjacent its mouth for connection thereto of an appropriate fluid duct such as may lead from a respective tank which is the source of fluid for the particular port to which any respective duct leads.

While four ports have been shown in the example of the invention under discussion, it is apparent that a greater or smaller number of ports may be used, depending upon practical requirements.

From the respective ports l to l8, inclusive, the fluid is directed to the interior of the body block II. For this purpose a passage i9 leads from th'eiiiiner end' po'rtion of 'thefentryi'port 1'5 through the "inner wall of the port block 13 to register with a passage opening through the body block rear face [2. Similarly a passage 2| leads from the port l6 through the .port block to register with a passage 22 (Figs. 6 and "7) in the body block. A passage -23 "leads :from "the port I! to register with a passagefil in the ib'o'd-y block; and a passage 25 leads from the "port T8 to register with a body block passage 21 Each of the fluid passages 20, 22, 24 and 21 within the body block ll forms part o'f a respective flow stream within'which the rate of flow is controlled. Ultimately all of the streams are commingled to exit from the body block as a singe stream through a froht'sidespo'rt 28 "which ma be -defined by 'a ip'rojec'ting "hollow 'boss 29 and r'n'ay'be internally threaded in the outer portion thereof for connection thereto of a delivery "duct from or .part of a manifold, delivery duct of a carburetor; or the like.

Her'e-in, the :passage 20 forms part of 9. ipilot line or stream'du'ct, while the passages 22,24, ahd 2 1 form parts of respective flow line or stream'ducts which are subject to c'ontrolby the pilot-stream. However, each of the streams,'im-

inediat'e'ly before it 'commingles with the other -'str'eai'ns atth'epo'rt 28, must pass througha r espective metering orifice 30 (Figs. 3 and '4). Each of T these orifices is of fixed --restrict'ed cross sectional flow area and comprises a generally cylindrical body member 3| which is externally threaded for threaded en'ga'gement'in a respective-bore 32 extending through 'tl'ie bodyblock 'l l 'fr'o'mth'e respectiveside o'f the block and communioating with thefdelivery port 28. Ea'ch of "-the eri fice bodies-3| has a driverslot 33 in' its "outer-end and' -lias a frust'um'tap'ered shoulder $4 at its inner end which 'is driven a'gainst a eompleme'iitaiy"sholllcler '35 within the bore 32 t0 'de 1i'n'iit the extent tO which the orifice body-will eiitend' ifto'the bore 32in fullyassembledrela- 'tio'n. 'Ih-is assures a tight fit o'fthe o'rificebodies 3| in their bores and so that they willnot work loose -in service. It will thus -'-be seen that -'each of -thefi'uid flow streams is controlled as' to p're'ssure dro'pbyits 'respective 'fix'ed orifice-"-30 im- "mediatel'y upstream from the port-28. Forequah ization of flow, each'of'the orifices 30 is'Of equal "crosssectional flow area. For proportionafflow, "selected variation in the cross sectional flow-area may be provided. 7

In addition to the fixed meteri'ng orifices-in the flow streams, each stream is provided, upstream from the fixed'orifice "3 0 "therein with variable orifice means by which therate offi'ow is controlled to meet fluctuating fluiddemand "conditions as Well as to control independent fluctuations in flowin the'several streams.

In-each of the three fluid'streams aside from the pilot stream the variable orifice means comprises a throttle valve structure 3'1 (Figs.'3 and "5). In 'e'a chinstance the throttle'v'alve structure includes a'valve plug 38 which is reciprocably 'sli'dably bearinged in "a 'pair of coaxial, spaced inner and outer bearing sleeves or rings "39 and 40, respectively, which are fitted "snugly 'in sin-appropriate bore 4 l extending'in' 'iromthe center of the respective faces of the body block H adjacent to the flow passages 22, 24 and 21, and intersecting such passages for communica-- tion therewith. As best seen in Fig. 3, the bearing rings 39 and 40 are diposed at respectively 5 inner and outer sides of the flow passage and the throttle valve plug 38 is of a length to extend betwe'en and 'at its opposite 'ends beyond the bearing rings. lhe outer end portion of the throttle valve plug 38 is formed with a plurality 1b of longitudinal fluid passage grooves 42 which 20 'body-blockl'l.

At the sides of body block 1 I, the fluid from the=respeotiveipassages which passes the respective plug valves confined by respectivediaphragms 43 which are secured centrally to the 25 re's-pectiVe-plugwalves and'marginally to thereon- 'tiguous sidesof the body block II. In the present :insta nce the:mar.ginal :clamping means-comprise similar closureplates'fl which are secured "to'the body block 'll bymeansof screws'45,the

0 tapped bores for receiving the screws in the body block l 'beingappropriatelyspotted to=avoid interference with "right-angularly disposed -screw holes-in adjacent faces of the body :block.

:Each :of the clamping plates 44 is centrally domed as at 41 to afiordfunctional-clearance.for

the associated iiiaphrag'm "43 and to :provide a static apressure 'chamber 48 at the outer side'of *the diaphragm. =At-'the inne'rside of eachof'the diaphragins'the body block I I is recessed as indictatedat moi-provide 'anactive pressure chamber intbwhichthe fluid issues upstream from theflxed orifieem :in eac'h'instance and within which theifluid p'res'sure is active upon theinner sidemr the diaphragnr ia.

, It'wi1l thus be evi den t that fluctuations the fluid streams" 'which in'c1ude the passages 22, 24 a1-1fd 21 will b'e lndividuall'y controlled "to remain .unifo'rm iniresponse to' flui'dde'mand through the 'outle't port HI -since anyincrease in pressurelup- 50 stream rrom the respectivemetering orifices 30 will be reflecte'd in outward flexing of 'the "respective throttle valve diaphragm M3 and thus restriction 6f the' flow through the fluid chann'e1s or:-grooves= 42 in the throttle valveplug body 5 38. Also, reduction or increase in therpressure drop across the'respectivefixed orifices 33 will be reflectedin*increasmg or decreasing pressure upstream from the fixed orificesyand live fluid pressure upon the resp'ective 'diaphragms will fluc- 'tuate 'accordinglyito effect appropriate metering of the flow through lthe variable orifices defined :by I the :throttle "-valve structures 31.

In *the pi lot stream which passes through the :passage :20 ia variable or flc'e to is provided upthe passage chamber-=5 l ad acent the front thereof, 'a -vari'able 6tifice bore- 55 connecting with the passag'e #20 opens into the passage ch'a'mber 5 I adjacent the rear thereof. Through this arra'nge- 7 ment, the passage chamber 5| affords a substantial static fluid pressure area between the spaced orifices 3B and 50.

The variable orifice comprises a structure afiording a predetermined minimum metered flow of fluid therethrough resulting in a normal substantial pressure drop across the orifice. In addition this orifice assembly includes means for decreasing the pressure drop in response to increased fluid demand by variably increasing the cross sectional flow area through the orifice assembly. To this end, the orifice assembly 50 comprises a longitudinally slidable orifice valve member 57 slidably mounted in a tubular pilot member 58 and biased in one direction by means of a spring 59 seated on a retainer 60. In assembly, the relationship is such that the orifice valve member 5'! is normally maintained in a position relative to the pilot member 58 so that fluid from the passage 20 may flow freely only through a quite restricted orifice passage 6| extending axially through the orifice valve member.

In order to afford the variable increase in metered fluid flow through the orifice assembly 50, the orifice valve member 51 has an elongated cylindrical tubular extension 62 which is closely but freely slidable within a tubular portion 63 of the pilot member 53 and has an enlarged diameter bore 54 leading to the small orifice passage 6|. Opening through diametrically opposite sides of the tubular extension 62 are a pair of relatively large size orifice openings 65 (Figs. 3 and 8). The openings t5 are located in substantially spaced relation to the orifice passage GI and to an annular shoulder 67 which projects from the base of the tubular portion 62 and is engageable with an opening shoulder '68 afforded by the inner end of an enlarged diameter bore portion 69 of the pilot member 58. Thereby, the enlarged orifice openings 65 are normally blocked by the encircling tubular portion 63 of the pilot member. However, when the tubular extension 62 of the valve member is slidably moved inwardly within the tubular pilot portion 63 the openings 65 eventually pass inwardly beyond the pilot member shoulder 58 and thus afiord opening of variable flow area from the enlarged bore 64 of the valve member into the enlarged bore 69 of the pilot member.

The pilot member 58 is secured within the bore by threaded interengagement, being for this purpose provided with external screw threads 10 at its enlarged end and an intermediate frustum shoulder H which is driven tightly against a complementary shoulder 12 within the bore 55, the pilot tubular portion being of smaller diameter than the inner end portion of the bore 55 to afiord ample clearance for assembly purposes. By preference the relationship of the shoulders H and 12 is such that in the fully assembled relationship the inner end of the pilot member portion 63 is in close proximity to the passage 20. At its outer end, the pilot member 58 may be formed with a driver slot 13.

The spring 59 is preferably a coil compression spring of appropriate weight dimensioned to encircle the body of the orifice valve member 51 and bear at its inner end against the outer side of the annular shoulder portion 67. outwardly beyond the restricted orifice passage 6|, the valve memher 5'? is preferably formed with a relatively large diametric slot 14 to afford unrestricted fluid passage for escape of fluid from the orifice pas sage 6| through the encircling coils of the spring.

At its outer end, the spring 59 seats within a seating socket 15 in the retainer which is prefthrough the unit erably in the form of an externally threaded ring secured within the threaded bore 55, the outer end of the ring being formed with a driver slot 71 to facilitate assembly. A spaced relation is maintained between the adjacent end of the pilot member 58 and the spring retainer ring 60 and this enables adjustment of tension in the spring 59 for optimum results in operation. In order to afford as completely free flow of fluid through the retainer ring 60 as practicable, it not only has the central bore which communicates with the interior of the spring 59, but also has an annular series of relatively large size fluid passages 18 therethrough for passage of fluid that may escape through the variable orifice openings 65 around the spring when the latter is compressed l2y action of the fluid pressure on the valve mem- During operation of the unit, minimum fiuid demands may be met by flow of the fluid through the restricted orifice passage 6|. As the demand increases, however, the fluid pressure acting on the valve member 51 overcomes the compression of the spring 59 and slidably drives the valve member outwardly until the variable orifice openings 65 pass the pilot shoulder 68 to the extent which will pass enough fluid through the orifice openings 65 to meet the demand. Fluctuations in demand are thus quickly and accurately met by the responsiveness of the valve member Of course,.

51 under the control of the spring 59. there is a maximum flow metering effect attamed when the metering openings 65 are fullyuncovered, but such flow area is greater than: the maximum flow permitted through the meter-- mg orifice 30 in the pilot fiow path, and there will thus be at all times proper proportional flow or uniformity of flow with respect to the pilot flow path as well as the other flow paths provided by the unit.

In order to render the other fluid flow paths of the unit responsive to variations in flow through the pilot flow path, the static pressure sides of the control valve diaphragms 43, within the static pressure chambers 48, are placed in communication with the static pressure fiow passage chamber 5| of the pilot flow path. This is accomplished by having the plug valve members 38 axially bored to provide communication passages 19 which communicate with a duct in the body block opening into the pilot path static pressure chamber 5| and having branches 8| opening into the respective throttle valve bores 4| at the inner ends of the valve plugs 38 (Figs. 3 and 5). Through this arrangement, every pressure drop or pressure increase in the pilot fiow path chamber 5| is promptly reflected in all of the other flow paths by action upon the throttle valve diaphragms 43. Thus, when there is a pressure drop in the chamber 5|, pressure in the static pressure chambers 43 also drops correspondingly and thus causes the diaphragms 43 to move into the chambers 48 and thus throttle the fluid flow through the passages 42 and the throttle valve plugs accordingly. On the other hand, should the pressure in the chamber 5| increase, this is reflected by increased pressure in the static pressure chambers 48 and tends to drive the diaphragms 43 toward or into the passage chambers 49 and thus increases the flow through the throttle valves. It is thus apparent that not only is each of the fluid flow paths Ill individually controlled against fluctuations of fluid flow peculiar to any such flow path, but :all of the flow paths are equalized with the pilot-flow conditions.

It may be observed that in order to avoid leakage of fluid from between the-body block H a and the inlet port block 13, an appropriate gasket '82 is interposed therebe'tween. For similar reasons a gasket 83 is interposed between the closure plate 53 and the side of thebody block against which it is attached. The diaphragms '43 serve as gaskets between the closure plates M and the body block.

By preference suitable generally thimble shaped screens 84 are disposed in the passages 20, 22, 24 and 21 for straining foreign matter from the fluid to avoid any interference that might be caused thereby in the successful operation of the unit. Respective lateral flanges 85 at'th'emouths of the screens are retainingly clamped between the body block H and the inlet port block l3. The screens have been omitted in Figure "6 es unnecessary to the disclosure therein.

Means may be'provided for-attachment of the unit in association with other apparatus with which it may be used. Herein such means-comprises an appropriate series of tapped holes 86 for receiving attachment screws in the front face of the body block l-l.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In apparatus for combining the flow of a plurality of streams of fluid into a common stream, a substantially cubical body block having four passages opening into one face thereof, said passages communicating respectively with the four faces'of the body block normal in plane to said first'mentioned face, variable orifice means controlling flow of fluid from said passages to at least three of said four faces, closure plates secured to said four faces and providing flow-chambers, a common outlet port in the face of said block opposite to said first mentioned face, flow passages leading from said chambers to said common outlet port and having fixed metering orifices therein, and means controlling the operation of said variable orifice means.

2. In apparatus for combining fluid flow from a plurality of separate sources, a generally cubical block having flow inlet passages entering one face thereof and communicating respectively with three of the four faces of the block in planes normal to said one face, means at said three faces providing fluid pressure chambers, an outlet port at the face of said block opposite to sa d one face and having outlet passages communieating therewith leading from said chambers, a metering orifice in each of said outlet passages, variable orifice means controlling flow of fluid to said fluid pressure chambers at said three faces, and means in said chambers in control of said variable orifice means, said block having means defining a pilot flow passage communicating in controlling relation with said variable orifice control means for maintaining the flow of fluid through the passages uniform.

3. In apparatus for combining fluid flow from a plurality of separate sources, a generally cubical block having flow inlet passages entering one face thereof and communicating respectively with three of the four faces of the block in planes normal to said one face, means at said three faces providing fluid pressure chambers, an outlet port at'the face'of said block opposite to said one face andhavihgoutlet passages communicating therewith leading from said chambers, a metering orifice in each of said outlet passages, variable orifice means controlling flow of fluid to said fluid pressure chambers at said three faces, and means in s'aid'chambers in control of said variable orifice means, said block having means defining a pilot flow passage communicating in controlling relation with said variable orifice control means for maintaining the flow of fluid through the passages uniform, said variable orifice control means comprising diaphragm actuated throttle valves.

'4. In combination in apparatus for combining 'fiuid flow at a predetermined ratio from a plurality ofseparate sources, a body block having a plurality of fluid passagesways open through one face thereof, said body block having additional faces in planes angularly related to said one face, bores communicating with said passageways and opening respectively through certain of said additio'nal faces, domed plates secured to said additional faces and forming therewith fiuid passage chambers, automatically pressure responsive devices in the chambers formed with said certain additional faces and having in controlled assembly therewith, orifice means in said bores, acommon discharge port leading from said body block, outlet passages leading from said chambers to said outlet port and having fixed metering orifices therein, said devices being responsive to pressure in the associated outlet passages to increase flow through said orifice means upon decrease in pressure in said outlet passages and reversely upon increase in pressure in said outlet passages and a passageway communicating with one of said chambers other than the chambers formed with said certain additional faces and having branches leading to the chambers formed with certain additional faces said devices all being responsive to pressure in said passageway communicating with said one chamber to tend to increase flow through said orifice means upon increase in pressure in said passageway and reversely upon decrease in pressure in said passageway for utilizing the pressure fluctuations in said one chamber as pilot for controlling the pressure in the remaining chambers.

5. In combination in apparatus for controlling fluid flow through a plurality of separate flow passages, a body block having a plurality of separate flow passages therethrough, one of said passages having therein a pair of spaced flow metering orifices, the others of said passages each having a throttle valve therein including a diaphragm actuated valve plug with one side of each of the diaphragms subjected to direct pres sure from the flow streams controlled by the respective valve plugs and the other side having a static pressure space, each of said valve plugs having a longitudinal passage therethrough leading to said static pressure space, and passageway through said body block communicating with a space between said spaced orifices and with said static pressure spaces through the longitudinal passages in said valve plugs for controlling said dia'phragms responsive to variations in pressure in said one passage.

6. In combination in apparatus providing a plurality of fluid flow streams, a body block having three flow passages leading in through one side thereof, said block having three sides disposed angularly to said one side and having three bores communicating through said three sides with the respective passages leading in from one passage upstream from said one side, closure plates over said three sides and affording fluid flow chambers, a common outlet passageway, additional passages in said body block continuing the flow paths from said chambers, and means for controlling the flow of fluid between said bores and said additional passages by way of said chambers to said common outlet passage.

7. In combination in apparatus of the character described, body block, said body block having a plurality of passages independently communicating with the exterior of the body block, certain of said passages having additional communication with external areas of the body block separate and spaced from the first mentioned external communication of the passages, variable flow control means carried by the body block in said certain passages, means carried by the body block for enclosing said external areas, said control means being responsive to fluid pressure in said external areas, a common outlet, one of said passages other than said certain passages having communication with said common outlet, each of certain passages having communication through said external areas with said common outlet, metering orifice means between said one passage and between said certain passages and said outlet, and means affording communication between said control means and said the metering orifice in said one passage and controlling said control means responsive to variations in pressure in said one pa sage.

8. In combination in apparatus of the character described, a body block, said body block having a plurality of passages independently communicating with the exterior of the body block, certain of said passages having additional communication with external areas of the body block separate and spaced from the first mentioned external communication of the passages, variable flow control means carried by the body block in said certain passages, means carried by the body block for enclosing said external areas, said control means being responsive to fluid pressure in said external areas, a common outlet, one of said passages other than said certain passages having communication with said common outlet, each of said certain passages having communication through said external areas with said outlet, metering orifice means between said one passage and said outlet and between said certain passages and said outlet, means affording communication between said control means and said one passage upstream from said metering orifice in said one passage and controlling said control means responsive to variations in pressure in said one pas- ;sage, and a port block. carried by said body block and having passa es therein separately communicating with each of said certain passages through the first mentioned external communication of said certain passages, said port block passages opening at respective lateral edges of the port block.

9. In combination in apparatus of the charac ter described, a body block, said body block having a plurality of passages independently communicating with the exterior of the body block, certain of said passages having additional communication with external areas of the body block separate and spaced from the first mentioned external communication of the passages, variable flow control means carried by the body block in said certain passages, means carried by the body block f r enclosing a d e te nal areas, sa d control means being responsive to fluid pressure in said external areas, a common outlet, one of said passages other than said certain passages having communication with said common out let, each of said certain passages having communication through said external areas with said outlet, metering orifice means between said one passage and said outlet and between said certain passages and said outlet, and means afiording communication between said control means and said one passage upstream from the metering orifice in said one passage and controlling said control means responsive to variations in pressure in said one passage, said pressure-responsive means including control diaphragms attached to the body block by said enclosing means.

10. In apparatus for combining the flow of a plurality of streams of fluid into a common stream, a substantially cubical body block having a plurality of inlet passages opening into one face thereof, said inlet passages communicating with respective other faces of said body block normal in plane to said first-mentioned face, closure plates secured to said respective faces and providing flow chambers each associated with one of said inlet passages, variable orifice means controlling flow of fluid from certain of said in let passages to the flow chambers associated therewith, each of said variable orifice means meluding a device in the associated flow chamber, a common outletport in the face of said block opposite to said first-mentioned face and outlet flow passages leading from said chambers to said common outlet port and having fixed metering orifices therein, said devices being responsive to pressure in the last-mentioned outlet flow passages associated therewith to tend to increase flow through said orifice means upon decrease in pressure in said last-mentioned outlet flow passages and reversely upon increase in pressure in said outlet flow passages, one of said flow chambers other than those having a device therein communicating with the other chambers, said devices all being responsive to pressure in said one flow chamber to tend to increase flow through said orifice means upon increase in pressure in said one flow chamber and reversely upon decrease in pressure in said one flow chamber, the one flow chamber thus serving a a pilot for maintaining the flow ratio in all of the streams at apredetermined value. V

11. In apparatus for combining theflow of a plurality of streams of fluid into a common stream, a substantially polyhedral block having a plurality of inlet passages openingthereinto, said inlet passages communicating with respective faces of the body block, respective closure plates secured to said faces and providing flow chambers, diaphragm means spaced from certain of said closure plates to separate the associated chambers into static and active portions, means operatively connected 'with said diaphragm means controlling flow to the active portions of said associated chambers through said in et passages, and means afiording communication between one of said flow chambers other than said associated flow chambers and the static portions of said associated flow chambers, said block having an outlet in communication with said flow chambers.

12. In apparatus :for combining fluid flow at a predetermined ratio from a plurality of separate sources, a generally polyhedral block having flow inlet passages entering one face thereof and communicating with respective other faces of the block, means at said other faces providing fluid 111? pressure chambers, an outlet: port: at. a: face of said block other than said one face and said other faces and having outlet" passages therewith leading from said chambers, diaphragm means separating said fluid pressure chambers into active and'static portions, variable orifice means in said inlet passages operatively connected with said diaphragms, a further passageway leading from said one face to-said outlet port, means affording communication between said further passagewayand the static portions of said chambers, and metering means in said last-mentioned further passageway downstream of its communication with said static portions and in said outlet passages;

13. In combination in apparatus for combining fluid flow at aprdet'ermined ratio from a plurality of separate sources, a body block having a plurality of inlet fluid passageways entering said block from externally thereof, said block having a plurality of angularly disposed faces, bores communicating with said inlet passageways and opening respectively through certain of said faces, means secured to said certain faces and forming therewith fluid passage chambers, a common discharge port leading from said body block, outlet passages leading from said chambers to said common discharge port and having fixed metering means therein, means defining a static chamber within eachof said fluid flow chambers, fluid pressure responsive means differentially responsive to the pressure in said static chambers and in said outlet passages, orifice means in said bores controlled by said: fluid pressure responsive means, a further pilot passageway opening externally of the block and extending to said common discharge port and having metering means therein, and means affording communication between said further pilot passageway upstream of said metering means and said static chambers.

14. In combination inapparatus for controlling fluid flow through a plurality of separate flow passages at a predetermined ratio, a body block having a plurality of separate flow passages therethrough, and with inlet and outlet means for the passages, one of said, passages, having therein a flow metering orifice, a diaphragm having one side exposed tov pressure in one of the other of said passages, a throttlev valve in, said other passage including a valve plug controlling the flow stream through. said other passage and operatively connectedto the diaphragm, other side of the diaphragm being subjected to pressure in a static pressure, space, the valve plug having a longitudinal passage therethrough leading to said static, pressure space, and a passageway through said body block communicating with said one passage upstream of the fiow metering orifice and with said static pressure space through the longitudinal passage. in said valve plug.

15. In apparatus for combining the flow of a plurality of streams of fluid into a common stream, a substantially polyhedral block having a plurality of separate flow passages therethrough respectively opening through separate faces of the block, pressure responsive diaphragms mounted in closing relation to certain of said passages and each diaphragm having one side exposed to pressure in its associated passages, throttle valves associated with said diaphragms for controlling flow through said certain passages, said throttle valves each including a valve plug operatively connected to the associated d ap communicatingthe means enclosing the other-side of each diaphragm and. providing'therewith a chamber affording a static pressure space, each of said valve plugs having a longitudinal: passage therethrough lead! ing to said static pressure space, a passageway through said body block communicating with each of said static pressure spaces through the longitudinal passages in said valve plugs, and means providing a common outlet for said flow passages.

16. In apparatus for combining the flow of a plurality of streams of fluid into a common stream, a substantially polyhedral body block having at least three passages opening into one face thereof, an inlet block secured to said one face of the body block and having inlet ports communicating respectively with said passages and opening at, respective lateral edges of said inlet block, said passages communicating respectively with other faces of the body block, variable orifice means controlling flow of fluid from said passages to said other faces, means for controlling said variable orifice means, a common outlet port in a face of said block other than said one face and said other faces, closure plates secured to said other faces and providing flow chambers, and outlet flow passages leading from said flow passages to said common outlet port.

17. In apparatus for combining fluid flow from a plurality of separate. sources, a generally polyhedral block having flow inlet passages extending therein and communicating with certain of the faces of the block, means at said certain faces providing fluid pressure chambers, means defining a discharge passage having outlet passages communicating therewith and leading from said chambers, variable orifice means in said inlet passages, diaphragm means in said chambers separating said chambers into static and active portions, means connecting said diaphragm means to said variable orifice means to control the latter, said active chamber portions being in communication with said outlet passages, and pilot means communicating with said static chamber portions to control the pressure in said outlet passages exerted on said diaphragm means.

1 8. In combination in apparatus for combining fluid flow at a predetermined ratio from a plurality of separate sources, a unitary compact body assembly having a plurality of inlet passages extending therein, a plurality of separate and independent flow chambers carried by said assembly and respectively communicating with certain of said inlet passages, variable orifice means carried by said assembly in said certain inlet passages, means inv said flow chambers in control of said variable orifice means, a common outlet, outlet passages communicating with said certain inlet passages downstream of said flow chambers and with said common outlet, one of said inlet passages other than said certain inlet passages having communication with said common outlet, each of said outlet passages having flow metering means between said flow chambers and said common outlet and said one inlet passage also having flow metering means, and means effecting communication between said variable orifice control means and said one inlet passage upstream from said flow metering means therein, each of said variable orifice control means being oppositely responsive to the pressure in said one inlet passage upstream of said flow metering means therein and to the. pressure in the associated outlet. passage.

19, In combination in, apparatus for combini3 ing fluid flow from a plurality of separate sources, a comp-act unitary body assembly including a body block having a plurality of inlet passages independently communicating with the exterior of the block, a plurality of separate and independent flow chambers carried by said assembly and respectively communicating with certain of said inlet passages, variable orifice means carried by said assembly in said certain inlet passages, means in said flow chambers in control or" said variable orifice means and responsive to fluid pressure in said flow chambers, an outlet passage communicating with said certain inlet passages downstream of said flow chambers, one of said inlet passages other than said certain inlet passages having communication with said outlet passage, said one inlet passage having therein a flow metering orifice, and means efiecting communication between said variable orifice control means and said one inlet passage upstream from said fiow metering means therein, each of said control means being oppositely responsive to the pressure in said one inlet passage upstream of said flow metering orifice and to pressure in the associated chamber.

T CYRIL NOON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,452,265 Collins Apr. 1'7, 1928 1,802,766 Kerr Apr. 28, 1931 1,865,795 Schnitter July 5, 1932 1,905,149 Chryst Apr. 25, 1933 1,927,972 Young Sept. 26, 1933 2,033,664 Worner Mar. 10, 1936 2,043,798 Hyatt June 9, 1936 2,179,815 Conklin Nov. 14, 1939 2,313,797 Bailey Mar. '16, 1943 2,606,066 Thompson Aug. 5, 1952 2,621,719 Eaton et a1 Dec. 16, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 526,869 Germany of 1931 577,132 Great Britain of 1946 

